Lesser lights shine as Spurs smash Heat to take lead in NBA finals

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Updated 9:45 AM ET, Wed June 12, 2013

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with teammate Gary Neal as they take on the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio. The Spurs defeated the Heat 113-77 and lead the series 2-1. See photos from Game 2.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – From left, Miami Heat's Mike Miller, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James talk during a break in the game.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Miami's Chris Andersen goes for a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, right, and Danny Green, left.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Miami's LeBron James battle for position.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Gary Neal of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Mike Miller of the Miami Heat during the second quarter.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer. Green has hit 12 straight threes going back to Game 2 and finished with 27 on the night.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Cory Joseph of the San Antonio Spurs and Norris Cole of the Miami Heat go after a loose ball in the second half.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – The San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat face off in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles under pressure from Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Manu Ginobili, right, congratulates Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs after scoring during the first half.

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Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Chris Bosh, left, and LeBron James, center, of the Miami Heat box out Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals17 photos

Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

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Game 3 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts after a call in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

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Game 3 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat looks to pass as he is guarded by Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 3 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Udonis Haslem, center, and Chris Bosh, left, of the Miami Heat.

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Story highlights

San Antonio Spurs beat Miami Heat 113-77 in Game Three of NBA Finals

The Spurs take a 2-1 series lead thanks to a finals-record 16 three-pointers

San Antonio point guard Tony Parker withdraws in second half through injury

The Frenchman will have an MRI scan ahead of Game Four on Thursday

Two lesser lights stole the headlines as the San Antonio Spurs routed the Miami Heat 113-77 in Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals.

All talk ahead of the best-of-seven series centered on the "Big Three" on each team, with San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili set to take on Miami's LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

But it was Danny Green and Gary Neal of the Spurs who took the contest away from the defending champion at San Antonio's AT & Center on Tuesday as the home side took a 2-1 series lead.

Green scored 27 points with Neal scoring 24 as San Antonio, which last won the title in 2007, sank a finals-record 16 three-pointers.

"Those guys stepping up on this stage in this game is huge for us," Duncan told reporters after finishing with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals 20 photos

Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Mike Miller of the Miami Heat reacts after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Sunday, June 9, in Miami. The Heat defeated the Spurs 103-84 to tie the series 1-1. See photos from Game 1.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs bows his head while taking on the Miami Heat during Game 2.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat tries to drive around Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs uses a screen from Tim Duncan to get around LeBron James of the Miami Heat in the third quarter.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat shoots over Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs go after a loose ball.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat during Game 2.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat drives against Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot between Chris Bosh, left, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – It's a packed-in crowd at Game 2 of the 2013 NBA finals at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat go for the jump ball at the start of Game 2.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat reacts in the first quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Chris Andersen of the Miami Heat dunks the ball in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer in the first quarter against the Miami Heat.

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Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 2 of the NBA Finals – Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter.

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EXPAND GALLERY

Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals 20 photos

Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates a three-point basket against the Miami Heat during Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals in Miami on Thursday, June 6. The Spurs defeated the Heat 92-88.

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Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Miami's LeBron James watches Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs makes a shot with 5.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – San Antonio's Manu Ginobili hugs Danny Green after their team defeated the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat misses a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the game.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Miami's Chris Bosh guards Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Chris Bosh of Miami reacts in the fourth quarter.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs is guarded by Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Norris Cole of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat passes the ball against Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat, top right, moves the ball down the court.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Matt Bonner of San Antonio boxes out Miami's Shane Battier in the second quarter.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Dwyane Wade of Miami shoots over San Antonio's Danny Green.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Members of Spain's national soccer team sit in the stands during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Miami Heat teammates walk off the court during a timeout in the second half.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – The San Antonio Spurs take on the Miami Heat in a packed stadium.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Boris Diaw of San Antonio goes up for a reverse layup.

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Photos: Game 1 of the NBA Finals20 photos

Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Miami's LeBron James drives on Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Miami's Udonis Haslem.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – Members of the San Antonio Spurs react while taking on the Miami Heat.

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Game 1 of the NBA Finals – LeBron James of the Miami Heat looks on in the first half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs.

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EXPAND GALLERY

Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list 10 photos

Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

1. Tiger Woods - $78.1M – Golf's world No. 1 Tiger Woods has reclaimed his position as the world's highest-earning athlete, according to Forbes. The 14-time major winner picked up $13.1 million in salary/winnings in the 12 months to June 1, as well as $65 million from endorsements with companies such as Nike. Woods is thought to be close to resigning with the American sportswear giant.

3. Kobe Bryant - $61.9M – Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the highest-paid player in the NBA. His salary of $27.85 million is $7 million higher than any other player, and his jersey was the biggest seller overseas during the 2011-12 season.

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Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

4. LeBron James - $59.8M – Miami Heat's LeBron James is the toast of the NBA when it comes to endorsements, boasting deals with companies such as Nike, McDonald's, Coca Cola and Samsung earning him $42 million of his $59.8 million total.

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Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

5. Drew Brees - $51M – Quarterback Drew Brees cashed in last July by signing a new five-year contract with the NFL's New Orleans Saints worth $100 million. Brees' new deal also came with a $37 million signing bonus.

7. Phil Mickelson - $48.7M – Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson collected $44 million in endorsements over the last year, including deals with Callaway, Barclays and KPMG.

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Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

8. David Beckham - $47.2M – David Beckham recently called time on his playing career, but he is still the highest-earning footballer on the planet. The $5.2 million salary he received during his spell with Paris Saint-Germain, his final club, was donated to charity. The former England captain recently launched a clothing line with H & M.

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Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

9. Cristiano Ronaldo - $44M – Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo earns half of his money from endorsements. This is thought to have prompted talks of a new contract with the Spanish club, with both parties unable to agree over Ronaldo's image rights. The Portuguese star currently splits his image rights 60-40, according to Forbes.

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Tiger tops highest-paid athlete list10 photos

10. Lionel Messi - $41.3M – Barcelona star Lionel Messi is used to finishing top of the pile. But the four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner is the third-highest-earning footballer, with Adidas launching a signature line for the Argentine earlier this year.

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EXPAND GALLERY

"We talked about it before the series started, how we're going to have to have guys step up and guys play well in certain games. And we don't expect a performance like this from those kind of guys, but they were great."

Parker was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury in the second half, but even the loss of San Antonio's star point guard couldn't prevent a crushing win.

"It's been a while since I shot the ball like that," said Green. "A couple games in the season, I shot it pretty well, but tonight it was a totally different level of feeling -- comfort level on the perimeter."

San Antonio will now sweat over the fitness of Parker, who will have an MRI scan to judge whether he will be fit for Thursday's Game Four.

Game Five, to be played on Sunday, will take place in San Antonio before the series return to Miami's American Airlines Arena.

"We didn't do anything right," said James, whose team lost in the 2011 finals. "We can't play like that on either side of the floor if we want to win.

"At the end of the day it is just one win for them. We have to come out Thursday and do better."